McKINNEY — In obtaining versatile forward Dustin Jeffrey from Pittsburgh on a
waiver claim, the Stars dipped into a deep reservoir of blocked talent.

The Penguins have become in recent seasons the NHL’s discount warehouse. The
New York Islanders added a front-line defenseman (Brian Strait) from Pittsburgh
on a waiver claim. Anaheim (defenseman Ben Lovejoy) and Columbus (center Mark
Letestu) each added a valuable player for a mid-level draft choice.

Jeffrey, 25, mirrored their career paths: a skilled player who performed well
in the minors but could not become an everyday player with the veteran-heavy
Penguins during their annual run at the Stanley Cup.

“It’s a tough team to crack the lineup with because of the guys they have,”
Jeffrey said Tuesday after his first practice with his new team. “I was
fortunate to start my career there. They taught me what it means to be a pro and
what I need to bring every night to stay in the NHL. I’m going to try to bring
that here.”

Coach Lindy Ruff indicated the Stars view Jeffrey as a depth player,
protection against injuries at forward. A natural center, Jeffrey played on the
wing with Pittsburgh and also received time on the power-play and penalty-kill
units.

The Stars are uncertain as to how they will use Jeffrey and if he will play
against the New York Rangers on Thursday at American Airlines Center. Jeffrey is
minus-2 for one game against the Rangers this season.

Ruff has seen Jeffrey at his best. In six games against Buffalo with Ruff as
coach, Jeffrey had two goals and an assist with 16 shots.

“I wouldn’t call it a tryout,” Ruff said. “We know what he can do. With
Pittsburgh, he was behind some pretty good players.

“Our scouts believe he can be a good addition to our team. We’re fortunate
that we haven’t run into too much in the injury department, but depth is always
a big thing to have.”

Jeffrey shuttled between the Penguins and their American Hockey League
affiliate in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He had 52 goals and 154 points and 182 AHL games
and 15 goals and 28 points in 100 NHL games.

He opened this season with the Penguins after a strong training camp and
played in the first six games. Jeffrey suspected his time with the club was near
an end when he was scratched in 10 of the next 14 games and did not play well in
his few chances. Jeffrey was a minus-3 in his final seven games with
Pittsburgh.

“I’ve been looking forward to a fresh start,” Jeffrey said. “It was
frustrating this year, playing in only half the games. … Coming here, I welcome
the fresh start and the opportunity to prove myself to the coaching staff that
had the faith to pick me up.”

Briefly:
Forward Erik Cole was held out of practice for what Ruff called “a
maintenance day.” Cole took several hard hits late during the win at Vancouver
on Sunday. … Forward Ray Whitney went through a practice at close to full speed
for the first time since incurring a “lower body injury” during a loss to the
Chicago Blackhawks on Nov. 9. The next step for Whitney is to incorporate more
competition-level activities during practice. Ruff said the club is not at the
stage of deciding whether Whitney will be activated for the game against the
Rangers. … Defenseman Alex Goligoski had the primary assist on Jeffrey’s first
NHL goal, on New Year’s Day 2009. Goligoski said Jeffrey is “definitely an NHL
player” and can help the Stars.